OTTAWA, Sept. 22, 2015 /CNW/ - The Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) joins other members of Canada's Health Action Lobby (HEAL) to remind federal leaders that Canadians want government to make the challenges facing our health-care system a priority. Public opinion research consistently reveals that Canadians care deeply about finding the sustainable and cost-effective options that will enhance our national health. And healthy Canadians make for a healthy and competitive economy. Yet, to date, policy debates associated with the 2015 federal election have rarely focused on health care.
Through its Consensus Statement entitled The Canadian Way - Accelerating Innovation and Improving Health System Performance, HEAL has issued a call to action to governments at all levels, contending that an effective health system depends on enhanced collaboration among all levels of government. HEAL also expects the federal government to re-assert its legitimate and facilitative leadership role.
For its part, CASW is a proud co-Chair of Demand a Plan, the Alliance for a National Seniors Strategy calling for a national seniors strategy to be put in place by 2019.
"CASW knows that by 2036, seniors will make up a quarter of the population. CASW believes that Canada needs a multi-year, multi-faceted national senior's strategy. Planning ahead will save Canadians money in the long-term," said CASW President Morel Caissie.
HEAL is a coalition of 39 national health and consumer associations and organizations dedicated to protecting and strengthening Canada's health system. Created in 1991, and representing more than 650,000 health-care providers and Canada's largest health organizations, the major focus of HEAL's activities has been on the federal role in health and health care. The Canadian Way Consensus Statement calls for health sector reform and funding initiatives grounded in compassion, consensus, and collaboration.
SOURCE Canadian Association of Social Workers
For the Health Action Lobby, Lisa Robertson: 613-739-7032, [email protected]; Susan Wright: 519-703-2020, [email protected]; www.healthactionlobby.ca; @CanadaHEAL, Read The Canadian Way at http://tinyurl.com/q3c7gyl
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